Marvel Editor-in-Chief Axel Alonso talks here about bringing Peter Parker's journey to an end in Amazing Spider-Man #700, the reaction from fans online (including the death threats aimed at writer Dan Slott), why fans should check out The Superior Spider-Man and more!

Amazing Spider-Man #700 is sure to go down as one of the most controversial comics of all-time as Peter Parker die at the hands of Doctor Octopus (who is now in possession of Peter's memories and body). Talking to Newsarama recently, Marvel Editor-in-Chief Axel Alonso addressed all of the above and more. The full version can be found by clicking at the bottom of the page and you can read our exclusive interview with The Superior Spider-Man artist Ryan Stegman by clicking HERE.

On His Initial Reaction To Learning Of Dan Slott's Plans For Amazing Spider-Man #700:

When a writer pitches a story that involves the death of a character, minor or major, my antenna immediately go up. Questions emerge: Why are you doing it? Where will the story take you? And in this case, because we had killed Ultimate Peter Parker only a couple of years back, there an extra-high burden of proof for me to be sold on the idea of taking Peter Parker off the playing field. When Dan laid out the architecture of the story that would result in the death of Peter Parker in Amazing Spider-Man #700, and what that would mean for Spider-Man in the future — both the new guy in the red and blue tights, and for the rest of the cast — I was sold. It was inevitable that this story would be controversial, but as the story unfolds, I have no doubt that fans will be running to stores to see what happens next.

On The Reaction From Fans Online:

With all due respect, I don't know if the Internet is really the ultimate indicator of what fans desire, want or need. You don’t predict your next president by only polling red states, know what I mean? Most of our most successful stories and initiatives have been met by Internet cynicism. Our job is to create buzz and excitement, and then deliver a quality story to back it up. The sales of Amazing Spider-Man #700 — a triple-sized issue that’s on track to sell more than 250,000 copies in print alone — speak volumes about the popularity of the character, the deep love people have for Peter Parker. We completely understand fans’ grief, rage, anger, angst and curiosity when you do something like this a day before Stan Lee's birthday. [Laughs.] How they stay tuned in months and years to come will be the ultimate test of whether or not this story was successful.

On The Lasting Implications Of The Death Of Peter Parker:

Hey, don’t forget that we did a little story called "One More Day" a few years ago that had a lasting effect on the Spider-Man universe. And remember how long Bucky wore Captain America’s red, white and blue tights? We seriously considered never bringing Steve Rogers back. Look, when people read Amazing Spider-Man #700 and see how the story unfolds — how Peter's memories embed themselves in the consciousness of the next guy to wear the tights — big questions will emerge. I'll leave it at that.

On The Death Threats Aimed At Amazing Spider-Man Writer Dan Slott:

This isn't the first time a creator has received a death threat here at Marvel, and we take all threats of physical violence — to a Marvel staffer or freelancer — very seriously. If you threaten one of us, even if it’s just as a joke, we will do a thorough investigation to determine who you are. Count on it. This announcement was met with perhaps a little more vitriol than others. Perhaps that speaks to the passion people have for this character.

On What He Would Say To Those Still Wary About The Superior Spider-Man:

I'd say, read Amazing Spider-Man #700 before you make up your mind. What transpires in the closing scene sets the stage for Spider-Man’s future. The big question will be, "Can the new Spider-Man live up the mantra, 'With great power there must also come great responsibility''?" There's a reason we're calling it Superior Spider-Man.

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Yeah i have been saying this since they first announced it. WTF is worng with people wishing death and disease and fire on writers and artist?

You want to kill him for not doing his job well enough for your standards ? Even if he is doing something that you couldn't even imagine doing ? Like the new cover everyone was hating on, saying it looks like shit, yet not a single mother[frick]er in the comment section could draw that shit. Anyone on this website would have [frick]ed up spiderman worse than Dan Slott because you don't know shit about writing...

Point is, you don't threaten to kill strangers you've never even met. CBM should have a 0 tolerance policy on death threats. I mean I know these guys are just raging because they are fat ugly talentless nerds, but it's just a matter of principle

We all knew that ASM #700 would do well in comic sells. But I still will not pick up TSSM. Like I said before, I don't like the Dan Slott's big creative changes for the comic book. I think Axel Alsonso also has some pull on the changes for TSSM.

Endgame:Otto died and Parker has a split personality! Which is fairly simple to fix,most likely the Otto personality will do it, itself to rid it's self of Parkers consciousness! But who knows with Osborn out and about now, he may be the one to bring Parker back after being peeved about what Otto did to him, either way itll be a wild ride

*Pfffttt...* Death Threats? More like tabloid level gimmicks to drum up cheap attention for another panned re-launch/ gimmick storyline. If anything, fans should petition Disney to clean the editorial offices and bring in people who are character first, event gimmicks last.

these people are horrible! [frick] them and anyone who has made a death threat, i myself am not that happy about spider-man 700, but to create death threats, even as a joke, is just horrible! what the [frick] is this? are you people animals or humans for Christ sake, seriously! [frick] all of you, you can hate the story, heck you might hate slott, but making threats over a fictional character just reflects on how much of a pathetic shit you are, i love spider-man, i adore him, but this is just too far.

i find the death threats idiotic but i refuse to believe so many were made, it's slott/marvel/alonso taking some extreme fanboy tweets and blowing the shit out of proportion for hype.

Fatso being boasting for months now "eh ma gerd, when asm 700 hits i am gonna recieve death threats and go into hiding, its sooooo controversial", the issue hits and suddenly we hear about death threats? for real? Slott is still on twitter last time i checked, lmbo, that's just marketing playing up a few random "go [frick] yourself slott" and turning into a scare tactic so more people buy asm 700 out of curiosity.

but please fanboys, do keep buying the comics as they marvel/slott/alonso troll and mock you. lmbo

death threats over fiction is just pathetic, lets be honest about that... I love Spidey (real one, PP) and has done so for 2 years, I hated the story of issue 700 and thought it was poorly executed, that doesn't mean I want Dan Slott to die, just fired would make me happy...Check out my thoughts on amazing spider-man 70 on my blog at Capmocomics.blogspot.com

To the People who gave Slott Death Threats: Great job further continuing the stereotype of Nerds being basement-dwelling weirdos with nothing better to do then give death threats over a fictional character.

I find it kind of ironic that in the comic, no one besides Doc Ock and us readers know that the mind swap happened, and the general public don't know that this swap has happened as well. It's like a weird parallel that the general public in the comic and outside it don't know that the switch occured.

Slott said he was going to get death threats before the issue came out. Now Slott says that he got death threats after it came out. Do the math. Connect the dots. They're just drumming up hype over how controversial it is to boost sales. I'll believe the death threats when Alonso produces police reports to back up his claims.

I hate the fact that Peter died and no one will ever know about it, all he did and sacrificed was for nothing, and then they pour salt In The wound by doc ock saying he's going to be a better spiderman? After decades of murder and evil deeds it all goes away in one sentence.Yeah buzz first quality story second.

For awhile, I actually had nothing but praise for Dan Slott's work. New love interest, the hinting of Mary Jane's jealousy and longing for Peter, The entirety of New York depending on Spider-Man.

I'm not living in a box though. I'm sure they will eventually bring back Peter Parker in true form, but regardless - the concept alone is utter crap. I've been an avid comic reader of both the Marvel and DC universes for awhile now, but when I heard of this story, I decided I'm just done.

Don't trust what people say on the internet? Okay fine. Then you're not getting my money anymore. We'll see just how strong those figures last after issue 700. Guarantee they'll be dropping REALLY fast.

excellent way to put it. the buzz/excitement/hype & drama of it all have taken the drivers seat over the quality of storytelling. hands down you hit the nail on the head.

they are looking for the pitch/logline that they can then blast across the headlines & garner enough attention to boost sales - often before they even consider the ramifications, or really lay out the story.

i understand the need for high sales. it's a business - no doubt. but there is a middle ground that can be reached - or better yet, think of the sales they could garner from a complete bad ass story. one for the ages. it would sell itself and THAT would be something to brag about. they're too busy looking for the next big thing.

1) It's ridiculous that someone would threatened a writers life over the direction of a character, even a beloved one. It sickens me. I wish people were as into their significant others and family as they are a imaginary story.

2) If this is actually successful and most people dig it than I guess people will get what they ask for. if this is the Spider-man people want, then it's the one they deserve.

3) Marvel has done the impossible. I really didn't think they could isolate me more from a Spider-man title after OMD, I really didn't think they could get me to care even less about a title, but hell, I turn around and they actually did it. I have reached that point where i realize I am not the target audience anymore for either marvel or DC actually. I will still cheer on all DC and Marvel comic movies, but between Marvel NOW and the DC New 52, my comic pulls are getting smaller and smaller.

"a triple-sized issue that’s on track to sell more than 250,000 copies in print alone — speak volumes about the popularity of the character, the deep love people have for Peter Parker."

That may be true but I guarantee that most people bought it b/c it's (1) issue 700 and (2) the end of the Amazing Spider-Man series (for now, at least)and is therefore a collector's item. So of course it's going to sell well. It doesn't necessarily mean people are buying it b/c they're excited about this new change.

(One good thing I'll say is that for a $7.99 book at least they didn't screw us over with a bunch of reprinted stories.)

It kind of makes sense I suppose. I'm guessing that Marvel didn't want to lose the entire Spidey fan base so they chose a villian that was somewhat equal to Peter in terms of intelligence--maybe they thought it would lessen the blow. Who knows. Ock is a brainy, science nerd just like Peter and that's one thing that makes Spidey an interesting character (at least to me). So it makes sense that they'd switch him with an equally brainy villian. If they had taken away the science part this would be a completely different Spidey and I don't think the fans would have stood for it.

I agree that its not ok to make death threats. I never would nor would support someone else . However, it would be nice to have a line where people could take turn kicking his shins. He deserves that much.

@ManofSueprGuy Hoenstly it hink its more to the fact that Ock never EARNED it. its like saying superman dies right? and he couldd pass on his powers to a wrorth successor, lets say lex luthor got thsoe powers and was sueprman. the real question is what gives Otto the right to be spider-man? He's a terrible person and spdiey doing a vulcan mind meld is suppsoe t o help him gradually change into the beast spider-man ever? form a charater stand point its jsut not that good. even with the way aporker died, I know it wasn;t the fanfare we wanted him to go out on,but it shoudl of been handled better. i'm still giving superieor ten issues to convince me. if I am not convience after thsoe ten issues, then I won't read it, and be on my mary little way.

Haha!.......right. Not when Rogers is a character that has endured since WWII. And when the movie was just around the corner. I loved Bucky Cap too but I knew that wouldn't last. Peter will be back regardless.